Success or Failure: Carbon OPS Results Edition
ProfRB.com takes an objective look at items of interest in the US online poker landscape in this new semi-regular feature.
This week, we dissect the Carbon Online Poker Series or "OPS" as it is known, the Merge Network's best multi-table tournaments event that concluded this past weekend, and give an unbiased account as to whether its overall impact was a success or a failure.
But first, let us introduce you to our "Success or Fail" meter!
By default, the meter begins in the "middle ground". After we present each point of fact in the given topic (sometimes augmented by comparative analysis), we will measure its impact by sliding the meter towards either the success or failure end of the spectrum. A successful fact makes the slider move right, and a "failure" fact moves it left. The degree it moves is subjective, but one fact alone will never slide the meter to either extreme on its own. And by the end of the review, we will have a definitive answer - was the selected event, news item, or promotion a success, or a failure? Let us begin!
FACT #1: Over 58,000 players took part in the 80 events over the two-week OPS schedule.
The Carbon OPS was designed to bring more attention to the budding Merge tournament schedule, which has seen an increase in stated guarantees over the past few weeks due to recent reintegration across network partnered online poker rooms. The 58,410 players who took part in the latest OPS dwarfed the previous OPS held back in February by over 23,000 players, while running three fewer events. The OPS event ran in November of 2013 saw just over 38,000 players take part in 84 events, making this month's Online Poker Series the most successful yet in terms of player participation.
FACT #2: Over $58,000 in overlays occurred during Carbon OPS.
Overlays in a tournament series this large are not unexpected, particularly since this version of the OPS saw more rebuy/add-on and non-NLHE events such as pot limit omaha sprinkled throughout the schedule. But a sum total of overlays nearing a dollar for every player that took part in the OPS is a bit on the high side - though not quite to the level of over $93,000, which is the overlay dollar figure for the first Carbon OPS in November of last year. Overlays tend to serve two distinct purposes: showcase the strength of a MTT schedule, and draw attention to said MTT schedule. While we will explore how strong the OPS was in further points of fact below, there's little doubt the amount of overlays that were occurring (27 out of 80 events had overlays) tended to bring a few more players into the fold than perhaps otherwise would have sans overlays.
FACT #3: 30 events had their stated guarantees changed during the OPS.
29 events had their stated and advertised guarantees lowered while the OPS was running, to the tune of $74,500 being taken out of the $2,063,500 overall prize pool. One event saw a $10,000 increase in stated guarantee as well. We know that networks and poker rooms have the right to basically do whatever they wish to their schedules and promotions. However, advertising 'guaranteed' events only to change them mid-series was a bad decision. While players swelled the overall prize pool of the OPS to over $2.1 million (more on this below), and the $74,500 figure is a relative drop in the bucket - most events changed were of the $25,000 GTD or lower variety - players were not happy (and rightly so) to see guarantee amounts lowered in that many events. The effect of which could serve to stifle the other highlights of the series, including the player bump that should occur as a result of the series. To jeopardize the positive press, so to speak, to ensure a few more relative pennies in immediate financial success, was a short sided play at best.
FACT #4: The promoted "over $2,000,000 guaranteed prize pool" was breached by over $125,000.
One of the more obvious signs of a successful tournament series is whether or not the overall prize pool is reached, broken, or fallen short of. The latest Carbon OPS promoted "over $2 million" was up for grabs, and the original total prize pool sat at $2,063,500 prior to the aforementioned adjustments. Literally, this put the actual prize pool before player participation at $1,999,000. With all 80 events now in the books, player participation swelled the kitty to $2,125,013, surpassing either mark. This resulted in a tournament series that offered players one of the higher prize yields available to US players. It's a positive for a network looking to clear themselves of the competition below them in the race for player traffic. While Merge may not be able to catch the juggernaut that is the Pai Wang Luo Network, read our Bovada review | Bodog review, in terms of US-available poker room traffic, they definitely can become the solidified number two.
FACT #5: The OPS turned in over $100,000 in profits.
Profit is profit, and while online poker profits are usually a small slice of a company's overall revenue, the OPS made double the money of the previous installment back in February. In a lot of ways, the only true measure of success for any business venture is profitability. And for an online poker tournament series, the OPS has definitely hit the mark in this category.
FACT #6: Merge is already claiming victory from the OPS, with plans to "review and increase" tournament schedule and guarantees
According to a statement made on the official Carbon Poker Twitter account just minutes after the final OPS event concluded, Merge seems likely to be increasing guarantees moving forward. With the summer months right around the corner, which is typically a time when player traffic can fluctuate across the board, it will be interesting to see how many tournaments are adjusted. "If you build it, they will come" is a popular refrain among many players, and with the OPS signature event nearly hitting its $250,000 guarantee (it overlaid for $3,200, falling just short), it's not out of the realm of possibility to see the Big Ticket Sunday major (currently a $125,000 GTD event) become a larger weekly offering. Other MTT's that could see increases are daily tournaments such as $4,000, $5,000, $6,000, and $7,000 guaranteed events that nearly always break their stated marks.
FINAL JUDGMENT: Success or failure?
While the long term effects remain to be seen, there's no doubt that this installment of the Carbon OPS event was a success. Few promotions are ran perfectly, but the OPS proved that online poker tournament series can draw in players and bring profits to a room or network's bottom line.
You can check out full results from each Carbon OPS tournament, including player totals, overlays, and profits in this graphic (opens in new tab).
RELATED CONTENT:
> Carbon Poker Information and Review Page
> Merge Network reintegrates across Carbon and Jazette player pools
> Merge makes big changes to VIP Points program
> Immediate effects of Merge desegregation
> Merge Network MTT Overlay and Tournament Results page
> Carbon OPS (February 2014) schedules and results
> Carbon OPS (November 2013) review and results
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